Dutch mosques take extra security measures for Ramadan

Mosques in the Netherlands are taking extra security measures during Ramadan, which started on Monday. While the Islamic organizations say that they have no indications of an attack or anything else being planned against them, they still worry about incidents, NU.nl reports.

A number of mosques arranged civic guards from their own members. They are also taking other measures. "Last year we also had surveillance, but this year the people attended additional training courses and surveillance cameras were installed at mosques who didn't have them yet. To be on the safe side", Mohammed Bouimj, director of the platform for Islamic organizations in Rijnmond SPIOR, said to the newspaper.

The extra concerns were caused by a number of recent incidents, such as a double terrorist attack in Christchurch in New Zealand in March. A right-wing extremists opened fire on two mosques, killing over 50 people during prayer. Last month the president of a mosque in Waddinxveen was assaulted by two aggressive men. A mosque in Drachten was set on fire last year.

The As-Soennah mosque in The Hague was also recently targeted. Two puppets and a banner with text insulting the prophet Mohammed were left at the mosque. Anti-Islam movement Pegida claimed this action.